Toyota Launches Production Model Fuel Cell Bus

Toronto, Ontario, March 28, 2018 - Toyota has announced that sales of the “Sora*1,” the first fuel cell bus (FC bus) to receive vehicle type certification in Japan, have started.

Toyota expects to introduce over 100 fuel cell buses, mainly within the Tokyo metropolitan area, ahead of the Olympic and Paralympic Games Tokyo 2020. As the number of FC buses in operation within the metropolitan area increases, Toyota anticipates greater awareness of the vehicle among the general public.

Sora FC bus

Last year, Toyota launched the "Start Your Impossible" global corporate initiative to transform the company from an automobile company to a mobility service company. This was guided by the company’s desire to contribute to the improvement and enhancement of customers’ lives and society as a whole through supporting the creation of a more inclusive and sustainable society in which everyone feels inspired to challenge his or her impossible. In developing the Sora, Toyota has sought to design buses that provide customers with freedom of mobility and become enduring town icons.

Toyota aims to create a bus that works for and supports society, so the Toyota Fuel Cell System (TFCS) has been leveraged in the Sora for its environmental friendliness and ability to serve as a power source in the event of a disaster. The Sora also features human-centric universal design and functions to ensure that mobility no longer presents an impediment to customers.

The Sora offers the following specific features:

High environmental performance and comfort that is derived from FC technology

The Toyota Fuel Cell System (TFCS), which was developed for the Mirai fuel cell electric vehicle (FCEV), has been leveraged to realize high environmental performance with no CO2 emissions or Substances of Concern (SoC) emitted when in operation, as well as quiet comfort with minimal vibration.

The Sora is equipped with a device, which can provide high output and a large capacity of electricity supply (9 kW maximum output, and electricity supply of 235 kWh*2) and has the potential to be used as an emergency power source following disasters.

Universal design and function that provides everyone with greater freedom of movement

Horizontal seats with an automatic storage mechanism (first in Japan*3)
The Sora's seats are automatically stored when not in use, improving comfort and convenience for passengers with strollers and wheelchairs as well as other passengers.

Field of vision support camera system (bus peripheral monitoring function)
(first in Japan*3)
Eight high-definition cameras fitted inside and outside the vehicle detect pedestrians and cyclists around the bus, providing a field of vision support camera system. When at bus stops, the system warns the driver of surrounding pedestrians and cyclists through sound notifications and images, thereby improving safety.

Acceleration control functiondelivers improved safety (first in Japan*3)
The acceleration control function suppresses sudden acceleration and enables smooth acceleration from complete stops in consideration of the safety of standing passengers. Also, as the bus is not motor operated, there is no gear shifting, resulting in minimal lurching.

Design
The design pursues stereoscopic shaping that significantly differs from the hexahedron (box shape) of conventional buses. It also uses LED technology for the front and rear lights. Such design features make the FC bus instantly recognizable.

Main specifications

Vehicle

Name

Sora

Length / width / height

10,525 / 2,490 / 3,350 mm

Capacity (seated, standing, and driver)

79 (22+56+1)

FC stack

Name (type)

Toyota FC Stack (solid polymer electrolyte)

Maximum output

114 kW×2 (155PS×2)

Motor

Type

AC synchronous

Maximum output

113 kW×2 (154PS×2)

Maximum torque

335 N･m × 2 (34.2 kgf･m × 2)

High-pressure hydrogen tank

Number of tanks (nominal working pressure)

10 (70 MPa)

Tank internal volume

600 liters

Drive battery

Type

Nickel-metal hydride

External power supply system*2

Maximum output / power supply amount

9 kW / 235 kWh

*1Sora: an acronym for Sky, Ocean, River, Air, representing the earth's water cycle.

*2The power that can be supplied and the power amount may differ, depending on the performance of the power supply unit, amount of hydrogen remaining, and power consumption. External power output device sold separately.

*3As of March 28 (according to Toyota Motor Corporation).

About Toyota Canada Inc.

Toyota Canada Inc. (TCI) is the exclusive Canadian distributor of Toyota and Lexus vehicles. Toyota has sold over 5 million vehicles in Canada through a national network of 287 Toyota and Lexus dealerships. Toyota is dedicated to bringing safety, quality, dependability and reliability in the vehicles Canadians drive and the service they receive. TCI’s head office is located in Toronto, with regional offices in Vancouver, Calgary, Montreal and Halifax and parts distribution centres in Toronto and Vancouver. Toyota operates two manufacturing facilities in Canada. Having produced more than seven million vehicles, popular Canadian models built at these facilities include Toyota RAV4, Toyota Corolla, Lexus RX 350 and RX 450h hybrid.

Every effort has been made to ensure the product specifications, equipment, and content on this site are accurate based on information available at time of publishing. In some cases, certain changes in standard equipment or options may occur, which may not be reflected online. Toyota Canada reserves the rights to make these changes without notice or obligation.